Organizing Ideas

Organizing 101: Laundry rooms

Organizing Ideas

Organizing 101: Laundry rooms

Love it or hate it, an organized laundry room makes doing the wash less onerous. Our breakdown of what you need and where it goes will get your space humming.

The tasksCollectingPlace a hamper in each person's closet, or a laundry bag on the back of each bedroom door. For a small family, think about having just one central container.

Choose hampers that can double as easy-to-carry laundry baskets.

Put a container for dry clean-only items near the front door if it can be stored discreetly.

SortingSet up three containers – one for lights, one for darks, and one for delicates and hand-washables – near the washer. Container options include plastic tubs on casters, hampers or attractive baskets for under the bottom shelf of a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit, or labelled laundry bags that hang on the wall or on a unit.

WashingConsider a standard washer and dryer; space-saving stacked units; or front-loading ones, above which you can install a convenient folding surface.

Use easy-to-reach shelves (or a locked cabinet if you have small children) for detergent and other frequently used items.

Post care-label instructions over the machine, along with stain removal charts.

Keep one or two small plastic tubs for handwashing.

On a shelving unit, stock clear jars for storing clothes pegs, loose change and special soaps; rags for mopping up spills; mesh bags for delicates; and a container for small bottles of stain removers and related tools.

DryingFor hang-to-dry clothes, you'll need a clothesline (retractable ones are convenient for small spaces), a drying rack or a tension rod (it can be hung in a doorway); pant, skirt and, for shirts and blouses, broad-shoulder hangers; and clothes pegs.

For sweaters and other clothes that can be dried flat, use a mesh drying rack or a shelf on an adjustable plastic-coated wire shelving unit or a stainless-steel cart. Be sure to also stack some clean, fluffy towels for squeezing excess water out of sweaters.

FoldingReserve a flat surface, like a table, and keep it clean and clear. If there's no space for one, a wall-mounted fold-down shelf is a good alternative.

IroningWall-mount an ironing board caddy (get one that holds an iron) or a fold-down board that flips out of sight.

StoringDiscourage clutter with frequent mini-cleanups; keep a garbage can in the room.

Have your laundry room double as storage space for other items; for instance, create a vertical broom closet for household cleaning supplies. Hang hooks for mops, brooms, a dust pan, feather duster and vacuum hose. Add a small shelving unit for pails, cleaners and their caddy, and a container for dust rags.

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

Gift Guides

8 terrific travel gifts for your favourite jet-setter

The travel enthusiast on your shopping list is sure to love any of these great gift ideas.

Shopping for someone who loves to travel this holiday season? Look no further for inspired gift ideas we’re sure they will love! From bags that’ll help them travel in style to essential tech gadgets they’ll never want to leave home without, these gifts are sure to be a hit this Christmas!

1 iPhone 7 Plus: No traveler leaves home without a camera and these days, all they really need is their smartphone! The brand new iPhone 7 Plus delivers its best camera ever with some seriously awesome new features, which make it a must-have for the shutterbug on your Christmas list. The improved camera means significantly better photos in low-light and more vibrant, colour-rich photos in regular light. The camera can take ‘portrait mode’ photos (blurring out the background and giving a bokeh effect like a fancy SLR camera) and has an optical zoom. Plus, it’s now splash- and water-resistant… hello, beach! iPhone 7, Apple, $899.

2 Jenni Saddle Bag: Ask any seasoned traveler and she’ll tell you that a small cross-body bag is a travel essential … and we just can’t get enough of the ‘Jenni’ saddle bag from Gigi New York. The sultry saddle shape combined with a luxe pebble grain leather make this bag a stylish addition to any outfit. With an adjustable strap and detachable tassel, this stunning bag is a winner! Jenni Saddle Bag,Gigi New York, $345.

3 Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch: Looking for a gift for the stylish travelista on your shopping list this Christmas? This transparent clutch and coin pouch duo is just what you’re looking for! Both items are ideal for keeping travel necessities like a passport, boarding pass and money close at hand. Or use it to store makeup and toiletries. Either way, the clutch and the pouch will make it so much easier to find things that easily get lost at the bottom of a handbag! Clarity Clutch + Coin Pouch, Truffle, $60.

4 Kindle Paperwhite: The traveler who can’t live without her books will be truly thrilled to find the Kindle Paperwhite e-reader under the Christmas tree this year. Now available in black and white, the Kindle Paperwhite offers readers a high-resolution display with a built-in adjustable light. The screen has no glare so it simulates reading an actual paper book. Its compact size makes it perfectly portable, ideal for the travel lover on your shopping list this season! Kindle Paperwhite, Amazon, $119.99.

5 Beach Tray: In this acrylic tray, Gray Malin marries the stunning aerial photography he’s known for with a striking home decor accent piece. Suitable for a myriad of uses (serving tray, office catch-all or simply a beautiful objet d’art to be displayed and admired), this tray is sure to delight the traveler on your list. This particular tray, part of Gray Malin’s newly launched home collection, features an overhead shot of beach umbrellas in Lisbon. Beach Tray, Gray Malin, $295.

6 The Beaches Tote Bag: Every traveler needs a good, multi-purpose tote bag that can easily fit in their luggage and be pulled out at a moment’s notice. This canvas tote is the perfect bag for shopping at a local market, taking to the beach or for using as an extra carry-on bag to bring home shopping that won’t fit in the suitcase! The Beaches Tote Bag, Main and Local, $19.99.

7 The Bigger Carry-On: A suitcase that charges your phone? A suitcase that has an unbreakable, scratch-resistant exterior shell? A suitcase that is guaranteed for life? That’s the kind of suitcase every traveler dreams of. Away has reimagined the suitcase and the result is a modern piece of luggage that easily and effortlessly meets the needs of today’s traveler. This is a super chic gift for the super chic traveler. The Bigger Carry-On, Away, $245.

8 Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print: Inspire a travel-lover’s sense of adventure with a gorgeous piece of artwork that will not only look fabulous gracing the walls of their home, but will remind them of a favourite vacation (or motivate them to visit some place they’ve never been!) To make this gift extra special, choose the perfect frame from a number of options. Men in Red Limited Edition Art Print, Minted, starting at $21.

Gift Guides

Stylish Christmas gifts you won't believe are under $50

Gift Guides

Stylish Christmas gifts you won't believe are under $50

Find the perfect gift for anyone on your list with these beautiful gifts all under $50.

We know: Expenses tend to add up over the holidays. From festive decorating to holiday entertaining and gift giving, of course, it’s hard to keep a budget under control. But giving a beautiful gift that will be loved and appreciated doesn’t mean spending a small fortune. Lovely, thoughtful gifts can be inexpensive yet meaningful. To help inspire you, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite gifts under $50!

1 Time For Tea Set: The perfect gift for the consummate tea lover on your shopping list this Christmas! This adorable tea set comes with a mug, a single-serve stainless steel tea infuser and a ceramic stir spoon, all perfectly perched on a wooden tray, making this easy to use any time. Trust us: Any tea lover will love this gift. Time For Tea Set, Indigo, $24.50.

2 All Natural Body Butter: Who doesn’t love the luxurious lather of a moisturizing body butter? This richly formulated, fair trade shea butter has vitamins A and E to quench dry skin and also has sweet almond and avocado oils for added moisture. Plus, this lotion’s hotel-chic packaging makes it a pretty countertop display, too! All Natural Body Butter, Bambeco, $22.

3 6x6 Instagram Collage: Help someone bring their Instagram photos to life with this beautiful Instagram display. Using Masterpix, photos are printed directly onto Corning® Gorilla® Glass, which is really thin, durable and clear. This is a great personalized gift that anyone would be thrilled to receive so they can display some of their favourite photos around the house. 6x6 Instagram Collage, Masterpix, $30.

4 Milk & Rose Glass Taper Candle Holders: Candles are a common Christmas gift but this year, why not give something a little different? These taper candle holders are absolutely exquisite and will delight any hostess who loves to make her table extra special when she entertains. Milk & Rose Glass Taper Candle Holders, White Lilac, $50.

5 Wood Calendar: We love the idea of personalized gifts and this wooden calendar is not only perfectly personal but also very handy heading into the new year. Choose 12 beautiful photos and turn them into a 12-month calendar. The printed pages sit in a handcrafted clipboard made from reclaimed beetle pine. This is a gift that will be treasured for years to come. Wood Calendar, Artifact Uprising, $30.

6 Pryce Bowl: At just $49.95, this bowl looks a lot more expensive than it is. Made of blown glass and featuring a hand painted platinum silver ring around the polished rim, this bowl will make a great centrepiece on any table. Its clean, classic look gives it an enduring appeal and it will look right at home on tables for generations to come. Pryce Bowl, Crate and Barrel, $49.95.

7 Cable Knit Pillow Cover: These super soft cable knit pillow covers are made from 100% organic cotton and will turn any sofa into an ideal napping spot. In a stylish shade of metal grey, this neutral pillow will easily slip into any decor scheme., Plus, check the website for the matching throw! Cable Knit Pillow Cover, Boll & Branch, $45.

8 Striped Marble and Wood Bookend: The bibliophile on your Christmas shopping list is sure to appreciate this gift. These bookends are made in India from interlocking pieces of mango wood and marble so not only will they help keep their bookcases in order, they’ll do so in some serious style! Striped Marble and Wood Bookend, West Elm, $49.

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

DIY Projects

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Looking for holiday gift wrapping ideas to wow your friends and family? No need to spend extra holiday funds on professional wrapping! We've put together 12 ideas to inspire your creative side when it comes time to sit down and wrap this year's presents.

Photo Gallery

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Faux bois

Create your very own stylish faux bois-inspired holiday gift wrap. For the full look and all the details click here.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Morgan Lindsay
Source: Ryan Brook

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Cheery colour scheme

A cheery colour scheme uses sky blue to temper the ubiquitous holiday red. The shades play off each other to create a happy holiday palette, while the traditional use of bows and ribbons is perfectly at home in the mix. For the full look and all the details click here.

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Playing tag

True to her happy-go-lucky style, design assistant Morgan Lindsay created a colourful array of wrapped presents that are guaranteed to put a smile on any recipients’ face. For the full look and all the details click here.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Style at Home
Source: Ryan Brook

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Paper favours

The natural look has never appeared as good as on these subtle, sophisticated gifts. Whether it’s brown-paper packages tied up with string or gift wrap crafted from a page or two of a vintage book, understated elegance is the name of the game. For the full look and all the details click here.

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Handmade modern

A little old-fashioned, a little modern and a lot of style. Lace-like details give style and food editor Tara Ballantyne’s packages a handmade feel, while hits of neon keep the look contemporary and fun – perfect for a season that both embraces tradition and celebrates new endeavours. For the full look and all the details click here.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Style at Home
Source: Ryan Brook

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Snowflakes

Create your own pretty snowflake wrapping paper inspired by one of our favourite of-the-moment wallpaper designs. For the full look and all the details click here.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Morgan Lindsay
Source: Ryan Brook

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Unconventional colour palette

Indulge in a spate of whimsy this season by choosing a colour palette that’s out of the holiday ordinary. This combination of white and bubble-gum pink brings new life to the tried-and-true basics we’re – maybe – too used to seeing. For the full look and all the details click here.

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Pretty in pink

The combination of dusty rose and dove grey brings a sense of youthfulness to these Christmas presents that’s sweet but not saccharine. Senior style editor Ann Marie Favot skilfully combined patterned papers, string and stickers to create a fun, fresh take on holiday gift wrapping. For the full look and all the details click here.

Image by: Style at Home
By: Style at Home
Source: Ryan Brook

12 stylish gift wrapping ideas you can do yourself

Golden girl

Always one to bring on the glamour, Jessica Waks gave her gifts a decorator’s touch. Her signature graphic palette of black and white with hits of gold is sophisticated and a perfect match for the dazzle of the holidays. For the full look and all the details click here.